Improvement in tag-fasteners



W. T. BARRON. Tag-Fastener.

Patented Nov. 4, 1879.

k ATTORN EY WITNESSES 2 (7% WASHINGTON D c UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

W. THOMPSON BARRON, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TAG-FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 221,275, dated November 4, 1879; application filed September 6, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat'I, W. THOMPSON BARRON,

of Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Tag-Fasteners and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of myimproved fastener when introduced into the tag. Fig. 2 is a representation of the same upon the point of engagement therewith. Fig. 3 is a representation thereof fully engaged; and Fig. 4. is a representation of a side, edge, and top view of the fastener detached.

This invention has relation to improve: ments in tag-fasteners.

The object of the invention is to devise a fastener of a cheap readily-constmcted kind, that can be expeditiously passed into a tag, and the goods to be marked, and that cannot become casually detached whatever be its position, or in whateverdirection it be turned.

The nature of the invention will be fullyset forth hereinafter.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A designates my improt'ed tag fastener composed of a single piece of wire. This feature I do not broadly claim, it being old and in common use. This piece of wire is first bent into the form of the letter U, as shown at a, the legs being of about equal length. One of the legs, 0, thus formed is then bent outward at an obtuse angle to part a, and formed into a hook, b, the general direction of which is, with relation to leg 0 aforesaid, obtuse angular and elongated. The end of the hook reaches across the U-part a. and being provided with a slight lateral bend, d, engages the other leg, 0. The end part of leg 0 is bent over in rounded form, as shown atj, brought over by a slight lateral bend, c, in front of the hook and extended across the bend e of the hook, as shown in Fig. 4. By this means the parts or branches of the fastener mutually interlock, forming a complete closure thereof.

The extremity i of leg 0, which for identification may be denominated the long point,

extends considerably beyond the bend of the hook.

The operation by which the fastener is applied to the tag is as follows: The tag being held in left hand and the hook between the thumb and forefinger of the left, the long point t is inserted in the hole of the tag, as shown in Fig. 1. This part of the fastener is thrust through until the tag comes in contact with the end of the hook. The fastener is then thrown over to the left, and then forced endwise, causing the tag to pass between the ex tremity of the hook and leg. The moment the tag is through, the hook springs back into engagement with the leg or bar, and the tag is locked in place. The turned position of the fastener, just before the fastener is forced endwise, is indicated in Fig. 2.

It will be observed that the end of the hook and the crossing of the long point therewith creates an absolute deadlock against casual displacement; but by reversing these movements intentionally and raising the end of the hook a detachment thereof may be readily effected.

I am aware that it is not new to form a taghook with a single spear end at the end of the hook portion a, with a short end having a curve to receive the spear end, and terminating at said spear end, and I do not claim such invention.

'What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The tag-hook described, having two long spear ends of about equal length, one end or leg, 0, bent nearly at right angles, and forming an extended entering-point, i, reaching across and behind the hook bend, and the other end or leg, 0, forming an obtuse elongated hook bend, c, and terminating at its point in a short bend, d, which engages the shank of the entering point or leg 0, forming a lock, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

"W. THOMPSON BARRON.

lVitnesses RICHARD HENRY BAKER, RICHARD HENRY BAKER, Jr. 

